Arriving in the Sunshine State

For these last two weeks of August we've been spending time in Palmetto, Florida visiting our good friend Kirk. Our gap year would not have been complete without a visit to see him. He's been one of my best friends and mentors since junior high. He for some reason used to let strays like myself into his house. Growing up I spent many an evening at his place playing darts, helping with house renovation projects, going boating on the Rock River, or using his computer to work ahead in math class (I was kind of a strange kid). So a visit to see him has been a must since the early stages of our planning. It just happens to be fitting in at the end of this year off. It also helps that he lives with just his dog Basic in a three bedroom house and loves visitors. So great company... free place to stay... it's a pretty easy choice to make.

We flew out of Grand Rapids to St. Petersburg through Allegiant Air. When we arrived, we were quickly introduced to the dreadful summer heat. We knew it was kinda crazy to be going to Florida in August. It is pretty much the worst time weather wise to visit. But we were not going for the beaches or scenery. We were just going to see Kirk. But still once that blazing/humid heat hit our skin, I couldn't help but wonder what in the world we had gotten ourselves into and why the heck had Kirk moved here.

Despite the heat though, we made the most our first day. Kirk took us to a festival he had heard about on the news. It was a grilled cheese festival, where a bunch of food trucks were set up to serve various fancy kinds of grilled cheese. Some places even had more than one kind to choose from. After looking at most all the options we each made a pick from a different place. They were amazing. I kinda regret only getting one.

At the Grilled Cheese Festival

We then continued on a little road trip/tour around town. We drove along Anna Maria Island and stopped at a couple of beaches. It was too hot to hang out long, but we did dip our feet in the water. Even the water was hot or at least warm bath water temperature. We also got a little tour of New College of Florida, where Kirk used to work. It sits right on the east coast of Sarasota Bay and shares property with the Ringling Brother property. Several of the college's buildings are re-purposed mansions that the Ringling family once owned. It was gorgeous. The highlight was "breaking" into one of the mansions (it was unlocked) to get a little look around.

Just chillin in a mansion

We wrapped up the day with a quick visit to a trailer complex where some of Kirk's family lives, said hello, checked to see if we wanted dessert, and then headed home for the night. We were very tired. But it was a great first day.